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Effects of Heated Tobacco Product Use on DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Revealed¡ªBiomolecular Changes Associated with Heated Tobacco Products Identified Through Molecular Epidemiological Research¡ª

Publish: November 04, 2021
Public Relations Office

November 4, 2021

Iwate Medical University

´ºÓêÖ±²¥app School of Medicine

National Cancer Center Japan

  • In a joint study with the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app School of Medicine and the National Cancer Center Japan, Iwate Medical University analyzed the effects of heated tobacco products on DNA methylation and gene expression patterns in participants of a community-based cohort study.

  • It was revealed that individuals who switched from conventional combustible cigarettes (conventional cigarettes) to heated tobacco products, while showing effects to a lesser degree than conventional cigarette smokers, exhibited more smoking-related DNA hypomethylation and changes in gene expression compared to non-smokers.

  • This analysis only examined DNA methylation sites previously reported to be associated with smoking. To investigate the detailed effects of heated tobacco products on DNA methylation patterns, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis will be necessary in the future.

  • The users of heated tobacco products analyzed in this study had switched from conventional cigarettes, on average, only about two years prior. This study was unable to clarify the long-term effects of using heated tobacco products. Future long-term follow-up studies are needed to investigate these long-term effects.

For the full press release, please see below.

Press Release (PDF)